As the global community enters a critical mid-decade juncture for gender equality, the United Nations Headquarters in New York is preparing to host a cornerstone event in the international feminist calendar. From Wednesday, February 18, to Thursday, February 19, 2026, the UN Women Executive Board will convene for its first regular session of the year. This high-level gathering represents a vital moment for the organization to align its operational strategies with its ambitious mandate to empower women and girls across the globe. The session serves not only as a platform for administrative oversight but as a strategic forum where the future of international gender policy is debated, refined, and set into motion.
The proceedings are scheduled to commence on the morning of February 18, under the stewardship of H.E. Dr. Adonia Ayebare. As the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations, Dr. Ayebare brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to his role as President of the Executive Board. His leadership comes at a time when the voices of the Global South are increasingly central to the discourse on development and human rights. Following the formal opening at 10 am EST, the membership will hear a comprehensive address from Ms. Sima Bahous, the Executive Director of UN Women. Ms. Bahous’s statement is expected to reflect on the organization’s recent milestones while outlining the urgent priorities for 2026, a year that follows significant global reflections on the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.
Central to the two-day agenda is the rigorous examination of the organization’s financial health and transparency. The Executive Board is tasked with reviewing the financial report and audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2024. In the world of international development, financial integrity is the bedrock upon which trust is built. By presenting the report of the Board of Auditors, UN Women demonstrates its commitment to the highest standards of accountability. These discussions will delve into the implementation of audit recommendations across UN funds and programmes, ensuring that every dollar allocated to the cause of gender equality is utilized with maximum efficiency. Furthermore, the session will provide a progress report on management actions taken to resolve any outstanding audit concerns, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement within the agency’s administrative framework.
Beyond the ledger sheets, the 2026 session will tackle the broader institutional evolution of the United Nations. A significant portion of the dialogue will focus on the “UN80” initiative. As the United Nations moves beyond its eight-decade milestone, there is a collective push to modernize governance structures to better meet the challenges of the 21st century. The Executive Board will evaluate progress made regarding the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) review, which looks specifically at the governance and oversight of several key bodies, including the UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, UNICEF, and UN Women itself. This collaborative approach to oversight is designed to break down silos within the UN system, ensuring that gender mainstreaming is not a localized effort but a systemic priority across all development sectors.
The internal culture of UN Women will also be under the microscope. In recent years, the organization has placed a renewed emphasis on “practicing what it preaches” by fostering a workplace that embodies the values of safety, dignity, and equality. The Board will receive updates on the agency’s work to enhance enterprise risk management—a crucial component in navigating the complex geopolitical landscapes where UN Women operates. Perhaps even more significantly, the session will address the impact of organizational culture on its mission. This includes a dedicated focus on the efforts taken to eradicate racism and racial discrimination within the institution. By addressing these internal dynamics, UN Women aims to strengthen its moral authority as it advocates for the rights of marginalized women worldwide.
The intersectionality of UN Women’s work is further highlighted by its engagement with the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board. During the session, the Board will receive a presentation on the follow-up and implementation of recommendations aimed at integrating gender-responsive strategies into the global fight against HIV/AIDS. This acknowledgment of the specific vulnerabilities women and girls face in the context of global health crises underscores the necessity of a holistic approach to empowerment. The session will also provide a platform for the voices of the workforce, featuring addresses from the Ombudsman and the Staff Council representing UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, and UN Women. These presentations offer a candid look at the challenges faced by those on the front lines of international service and the management actions required to support their well-being.
The timing of this session is particularly poignant. As noted in recent high-level speeches by UN leadership, the world is currently grappling with a landscape where the safety and dignity of women are frequently under threat, both in physical spaces and in the burgeoning digital realm. The 2026 session is expected to echo the sentiment that every space—on or offline—must be one of equality. By streamlining governance and ensuring financial transparency, the Executive Board creates the structural stability necessary to launch effective campaigns against gender-based violence and economic exclusion. The administrative rigors discussed in New York are the direct precursors to the life-saving programs implemented in rural communities, urban centers, and conflict zones.
For those following the proceedings from afar, the UN Women Executive Board has ensured that the session remains accessible to the public and stakeholders. All official documents, including the detailed agenda and thematic reports, are hosted on the Executive Board’s dedicated web portal. Furthermore, the session will be broadcast via UN Web TV, allowing activists, policymakers, and the general public to witness the transparency of the United Nations in action. This level of openness is essential for maintaining the global momentum behind the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.
As the Board prepares to meet, the overarching theme remains clear: the pursuit of gender equality is not merely a moral imperative but a functional necessity for global stability. The 2026 First Regular Session represents a bridge between the foundational achievements of the past and the transformative goals of the future. Through the leadership of Dr. Ayebare and Ms. Bahous, and the collective scrutiny of the member states, UN Women continues to refine its role as the world’s most prominent advocate for half of the global population. The decisions made in the halls of the United Nations Headquarters this February will ripple outward, influencing policy, funding, and advocacy efforts for years to come, ensuring that the promise of safety, dignity, and equality remains at the forefront of the international agenda.
In the broader context of women’s leadership, this session also highlights the importance of institutional resilience. By focusing on risk management and audit implementation, UN Women is preparing itself for a future that is increasingly unpredictable. Whether navigating the impacts of climate change on women’s livelihoods or addressing the digital divide that threatens to leave girls behind, the organization’s ability to adapt is contingent on the very governance structures being discussed in New York. The 2026 session is a testament to the fact that while the goals of the movement are visionary, the path to achieving them is paved with meticulous planning, rigorous oversight, and an unwavering commitment to institutional excellence.
